What's Cooking? The Social and Emotional Benefits To Cooking & Baking: Hello gardeners! Did you know that cooking and baking are not just about creating delicious meals and treats...they can also provide a range of social and emotional benefits which is why they are one of our 'go-to' gardening tools! Cooking and baking have been shown to be effective stress-relieving activities for gardeners of all ages. Scroll down to read the many benefits of turning your 'Weeds into Seeds' in the kitchen! The SEL benefits of Cooking and baking can go way beyond just satisfying your hunger: Cooking and baking can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. The act of measuring ingredients, mixing them together, and watching a dish come together can be very calming and meditative. Cooking and baking can be a wonderful creative outlet. You can experiment with different flavors, textures, and cooking techniques to create unique and personalized dishes. Sharing your cooking and baking creations with others can be a great way to connect with friends and family. It can be a fun and rewarding way to bring people together and show your love and appreciation for them. Cooking and baking can also be a way to practice mindfulness and be present in the moment. By focusing on the task at hand and being aware of your senses, you can cultivate a sense of mindfulness and reduce stress and anxiety. So next time you've got some weeds and need a little help to redirect your thoughts and get you back to a calmer & more confident state of mind...head to the kitchen and dig into your favorite recipe! Discover some of our favorite recipes that are fun for gardeners of all ages to enjoy. Click here to DIG IN >> What's Cooking? The Social and Emotional Benefits To Cooking & Baking featured on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog...

Feeling vulnerable is a common 'weed' that most gardeners experience at some point in their lives and can happen at all ages. It's rooted in feelings of uncertainty and feeling defenseless, which can be uncomfortable and frightening. Here are some ways 'gardeners' may act when feeling vulnerable: -Helpless -Frustrated -Self-Conscious -Guilty -Scared -Resentful Feeling vulnerable can be a difficult 'weed' to navigate, but there are lots of helpful 'Gardening Tools' to help manage those feeling and help you 'Pull Your Weeds'! Here are some 'Gardening Tools' to try to help with feelings of vulnerability: -Journaling -Learn a new skill -Seek support from loved ones -Gratitude exercises -Exercise &physical activities -Practice self-care As gardeners, feeling vulnerable is a natural part of the human experience, and can pass with time. Be gentle with yourself gardeners and use your 'gardening tools' to help nurture and care for your emotional well-being. Pull Your Weeds Blog Features: The Roots of Vulnerability & Helpful Gardening Tools You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Island In The Sun-Part 2- Fred Rogers Legacy Lives On: Visiting the Nantucket summer home of Fred Rogers has become a yearly tradition for our family since 2018 when had the first copy of You Are a Gardener®. His work has had a profound impact on our family, particularly in empowering children with healthy socialization and stress management skills, instilling confidence and calm. By visiting his home, we feel a deep connection to his legacy and are committed to keeping the momentum of his work 'growing' forward. Photos taken in Madaket, Nantucket in front of The Crooked House from 2018-2023 (2018 is when we had our first copy of You Are a Gardener®) Including a photo of Fred & Joanne Rogers This family tradition is always a beautiful reminder of how much we have all grown throughout the year and reflect on the connections we have made, seeds we have planted and the many accomplishments that sprouted. This year Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan took the photo with our very first hardcover edition of You Are a Gardener®. Given our grass roots, self-funded background a hardcover version of our book was always something we dreamed of having and late last year we finally got to bring that vision to fruition when we launched our 2nd Edition of our book. "Feeling good about ourselves is essential in our being able to love others."~Fred Rogers Last year we discovered a Mister Rogers inspired Little Free Library on our way to Madaket to take our annual photo. This year we were so excited to leave a copy of our 2nd Edition of You Are a Gardener®! Click Here to read more about our Little Free Library adventures! “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me." -Fred Rogers Fred Rogers' commitment to helping children develop empathy, self-confidence and feeling comfortable talking about their emotions through his work, is also at the root of our mission and platform. He encouraged connections with families and caregivers to help nurture a calm, loving and supportive environment that celebrates individuality. If you're looking to follow in Fred Rogers' footsteps, here are a few ways you can incorporate his teachings into your life: Practice empathy: Fred Rogers always emphasized the importance of putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Try to understand other people's perspectives and show compassion towards them. Be kind to yourself and others: Fred Rogers believed that being kind was the most important thing. Try to be kind to yourself as well as others, and do good deeds whenever you can. Don't be afraid to express your feelings: Fred Rogers was always honest about his feelings, and encouraged others to do the same. It's important to express your feelings in a healthy way, and not be afraid to be vulnerable. Pursue your passions: Fred Rogers followed his passion for educating children through television, and you too can follow your passions to make a positive impact. "Our world hangs like a magnificent jewel in the vastness of space. Every one of us is a part of this jewel; and, in perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal. We are intimately related. may we never even pretend that we are not." ~Fred Rogers " Island In The Sun-Part 2- Fred Rogers Legacy Lives On on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog. You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Hello gardeners! Today Gardener Kelsey is featuring a nostalgic, fun and creative craft that is fun for gardeners of all ages. Our DIY Shrinky Dink Keychains Craft is as an awesome way to show your #PullYourWeeds® spirit or simply to decorate your backpack for the upcoming school year. Shrinkable plastic is a wonderful craft medium. Encourage your creativity with a variety of design options 
with an array of cool designs to color, bake, and shrink... gardeners can let their imaginations run wild! Scroll down to watch the video & scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity! DIY Shrinky Dinks Has Gardener Roots In: -Encourages Creativity -Minimal Materials Required -Fun For Gardeners Of All Ages -Fosters Focusing Skills -Screen Free Activity -A Positive Way To Redirect Thoughts -Crafting Promotes Relaxation -Great For A Handmade Gift Gardener Kelsey's Tip: You CAN use plastic #6 from recycled takeout containers- however in her experience, they don't shrink quite as well as if you buy the shrinky dink paper from a craft store. After drawing on the rough side of the shrinky dink paper using sharpies, colored pencils or paint pens - cut out your designs and hole punch wherever you are going to attach your keychain ring. Preheat oven to 325ºF and put shrinky dinks on a cookie sheet. Bakefor 1-5 minutes depending on oven heat- ours started to shrink around the 1 minute mark and were fully done by the 2 minute mark. The design will curl as it shrinks, then it will flatten - once the design FLATTENS, bake for an additional 15-30 seconds and then remove from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before removing from the sheet. If you chose to make a keychain, grab your key chain and feed it through the hole punch. add on to your backpack and enjoy! OR if you don't make a hole - use them to decorate your desk, a window, etc! Hey gardeners, did you do make our DIY Shrinky Dinks Keychains? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'DIY Shrinky Dinks Keychains' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet DIY Shrinky Dink Keychains: Our #PullYourWeeds® Blog is rooted in empowering young kids with lots of tools to help their gardens grow healthy and strong. Eating healthy and learning how to cook are wonderful additions to their toolbox. You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Easy As 1-2-3 | Helpful Ways To Manage Stress: When it comes to managing stress, incorporating positive "gardening tools" into our emotional toolkit can be incredibly effective. Earning 'Gardening Tool Badges' is a fun and wonderful way to promote emotional well-being and teach gardeners of all ages valuable life skills. Whether you're at home or in school, earning your Gardening Tool Badges is a great way to dig into into the You Are a Gardener® mindset and introduce gardeners of all ages to healthy activities and exercises that promotes self-confidence and cultivates a calm demeanor. Encouraging children to stay active and engaged is not only beneficial for their physical health, but also for their social and emotional well-being. Start earning your badges today...Let's grow! Collecting Gardening Tool Badges Is As Easy As 1,2.3 1. Download Your Free Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet (Click Here) 2. Pick &Click A Gardening Tool That You Want To Learn & Explore (Click Here) 3. Once You Complete The Activity, Scroll To Bottom Of Page To Download Your Badge To Add To Your Collector Sheet Easy As 1-2-3 | Helpful Ways To Manage Stress: Our #PullYourWeeds® Blog is rooted in empowering young kids with lots of tools to help their gardens grow healthy and strong. You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Hello gardeners! Drawing and meditation may seem like two completely different activities, but at the roots, they actually share many similarities. Like meditation, drawing requires focus and concentration. When you meditate, you focus your attention on your breath or a particular object. Similarly, when you draw, you focus your attention on the lines, shapes, and colors you are creating. Both can be extremely calming and relaxing and draw your mind to the present moment, which is why they are today's new featured 'Gardening Tool'! PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY'S SHADOW DRAWING 5 MINUTE CRAFT FOR KIDS --> All you need is a piece of paper, something to draw with and the shadow of a flower, plant or herb. Scroll down to read more about the social and emotional health benefits for today's activity & scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge! Our Shadow Drawing Meditation Activity Has Gardener Roots In: ✏️Mood Boosting: Shadow Drawing can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of calmness and relaxation. ✏️Encourages Self-Expression: This activity allows for self-expression in a safe and non-judgmental way, which can help to improve communication skills and build confidence. ✏️Screen Free Activity-That can be done at home or in the classroom ✏️Enhances Mindfulness: When shadow drawing, you can focus on the present moment and let go of distractions, which can help to improve mindfulness and promote a sense of inner peace. ✏️ Builds Resilience: This activity can help to develop problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to other areas of life and enhance resilience. ✏️ Improves Social Connections: Shadow Drawing can be a fun and engaging way to connect with others and build relationships, which is important for overall well-being. ✏️ Great For Gardeners Of All Ages: This activity is enjoyable and calming for any age group. Gardener Kelsey's note: This activity was inspired by @elisejoy. Your drawings do not have to be perfect! Let your mind relax and use this time more as some meditation time outdoors rather than trying to focus on perfecting your drawing. It can be helpful to do this craft/activity around midday or when the sun is somewhat overhead so you have a clear and crisp shadow (depending on where you live & how much sun your yard/window/balcony gets)! Hey gardeners, did you do our Shadow Drawing Meditation Exercise? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Shadow Drawing Meditation Exercise' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet Shadow Drawing Meditation You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

As gardeners we know there are so many words for weeds...the list goes on and on. But did you know that some weeds can be rooted in the same challenging feeling/emotion? Today we are unpacking some of the weeds that are rooted in insecurity. It can be helpful to recognize that when we experience certain weeds (negative & uncomfortable feelings) such as: -Jealous -Overwhelmed -Judgemental -Apprehensive -Self-Doubt -Opinionated -Isolated These particular weeds can be deep rooted in feeling insecure. Insecurity is a big weed that many gardeners struggle with from time to time and can be tied to feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty and fear of loss. There are a lot of healthy 'Gardening Tools' to help with feelings of insecurities such as: -Gratitude exercises -Vision boards - Goal setting journal -Self-compliment sheet -Take a break from social media/screens -Smile more (these tools are appropriate for gardeners of all ages) Nurturing our gardens (pulling weeds & planting seeds) takes time & patience. Some 'gardening tools' work better for others and it is helpful to be patient with ourselves and try new 'Gardening Tools" when we are feeling open to it. The more tools we have in our "Toolbox", the more prepared we are when we encounter weeds aka stress. Click here to check out some of our favorite Gardening Tools & to start earning "Gardening Tool Badges'!

It was so good to be bACK on ACK! This was the first time our family has been able to slow down and really reflect on all the incredible things that blossomed during the 2022/2023 school year. Vacations are a wonderful way to reconnect as a family and disconnect from everyday responsibilities. Studies have proven that time off from regular routines and having new experiences can be beneficial for improving brain function and boosting your mental health. From countless walks to town, scoops upon scoops of ice cream to endless shell collecting, our time together was the perfect way to kick off summer break and get back to the roots of our family. Thank you Nantucket for another soul healing, mind clearing, step back in time excursion. We can't wait to com bACK! Stay tuned to our #PullYourWeeds® Blog next week for more on our trip to Nantucket on Island In The Sun -Part 2...

Hey gardeners are you ready to dig into a deliciously easy and nutritious meal? Did you know that cooking and baking can soothe stress, reduce negative thinking and build confidence? That's why today's recipe is also our brand new 'Gardening Tool'! We are always on a quest to mix in new and nutritional meals that are both kid and family approved and we love recipes that are simple, sophisticated and super easy to make. Today we are sharing one of our family favorite salmon recipes...we are making Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Bowls! Not only is salmon delicious but it also packed with omega 3 fatty acids, which are proven to improve our mood...win, win! Scroll down for this super simple recipe and to download your "Gardening Tool Badge' for this activity! Getting kids involved in the kitchen is a fun and hands on way to teach them about nutrition. Most kids know the value of eating healthy and introducing them to new recipes is a wonderful way to keep mealtime a fun and an engaging experience. Preparing healthy meals together helps to provide children with a healthy foundation for future eating habits. Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Bowls Recipe-4 Servings 3 Salmon Fillets 2 Cups of Sushi Rice 1 Box or Bag Of Spinach 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil 1 Cup Teriyaki Sauce 2-3 Sheets Nori cut into ribbons (optional) 2-3 Tbsp Sesame Seeds 4-5 Scallions Sliced 1-2 Avocados Sliced (This recipe can be made for 1 or 100-Just adjust the portions to your size) -If you have time you can marinate your salmon in the teriyaki sauce for a few hours ahead of time, but this is not necessary. -Cook sushi rice per provided instructions. -Toast nori and sesame seeds in a skillet for 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally-cook til sesame seeds start to turn brown & set aside. -Steam spinach in sesame oil and 2 tbsps water covered for 2-3 minutes-until wilted. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with salt when done. -Preheat oven to broil. Put salmon on baking sheet lined with foil. Baste salmon with teriyaki sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes. Take out baste again and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Salmon should be about 145 degrees but it will continue to cook once out of the oven. *If teriyaki sauce is not thick enough, put in saucepan with brown sugar and heat until thickens. Assembly Time! Rice first, then add spinach, then nori mixture, salmon, sprinkle with scallions and add in your avocados. A drizzle of siracha or siracha mayo on top would be delicious too! Enjoy :) Gardeners Tip: If you don't enjoy nori, try toasting sesame seeds instead! Hey gardeners, did you do make our Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Bowls? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Bowls' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet Our #PullYourWeeds® Blog is rooted in empowering young kids with lots of tools to help their gardens grow healthy and strong. Eating healthy and learning how to cook are wonderful additions to their toolbox. You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Hello Gardeners, "When I was at my grandparents house the other day I saw something on the news that scared me and made me feel really uncomfortable. Now I can't stop worrying that what I saw can happen to me and my family." ~Gardener Max Age 10 Hello Gardener Max, "There are definitely some scary things on the news and we know how hard it can be to not think about them.The most important thing you can do is talk about what you saw with someone you trust.There are also some other helpful 'gardening tools' to help you take your mind off this 'weed'!" When things feel out of your control try these gardening tools: -Arts & Craft Project -Read A Book -Play A Game We hope this helps turn your weed into a seed. Thank you for reaching out!" ~Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan Seeing things on the news can sometimes make children feel uncomfortable. It is helpful to kids to get them to open up and talk about what they saw and/or experienced. You can expand on these conversations by asking them what they saw, how it made them feel and what they think about it. Having safe and trusted sources for young gardeners helps to keep the line of communication open...turning weeds into seeds! Do you or your younger gardeners need helping turning a 'weed into seed'? Send us a message to flowers@youareagardener.com with the subject Hello Gardeners for a chance to be featured!

Nothing screams summer like a solid playlist! There is something so nostalgic for children and adults alike when it comes to summer tunes. Listening to music is also an extremely powerful gardening tool as it helps to put you in a positive mood & get your groove on! Music can brighten up any summer activity or road trip. So what do you say gardeners, are you ready to dig into a solid summer #PullYourWeeds® Playlist...scroll down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this groovy activity! This summer make a playlist with your family full of all your favorite, upbeat songs! Some of our favorites include: Weatherman by Eddie Benjamin, I Lived by One Republic, American Kids by Kenny Chesney, Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson, Surfin USA by the Beach Boys, Scarlett Begonias by the Grateful Dead, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, Roll Me Away by Bob Seger, Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus, The Best Is Yet To Come by Sheppard, Dream On by Aerosmith, Bang by AJR, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, Count On Me by Bruno Mars, Long Way To The Top by ACDC, Joy by Andy Grammar... Hey gardeners, did you do make a groovy summer playlist? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the '#PullYourWeeds® Playlist' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Hey gardeners...did you know that reading is one of our favorite 'gardening tools'? Reading can be extremely beneficial for gardeners of all ages. It is a wonderful way to help develop social and emotional skills, it expands our vocabulary, helps build our self-confidence, encourages empathy and cognitive thinking, and promotes a safe way to explore strong emotions. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. It works better and faster than other relaxation methods, such as listening to music or drinking a hot cup of tea. PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY'S VIDEO ON OUR SUMMER READING TRACKER >> This summer we would love for all our gardener friends to download our free You Are a Gardener® Summer Reading Tracker! All you have to do is download our Tracker Sheet, read as many books as you can & fill out & color in the sheets, send us a picture of your progress and we will send you some free Gardener Goodies! Grab a stack of books and dig in! Click on the You Are a Gardener® Summer Reading Tracker to download your free sheet today and start tracking your books! We can't wait to see your progress and send you some gardener prizes as a reward for all your effort! << CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR SHEET!>>